- Must visit
Kern County Museum
A major local history museum with historic buildings, exhibits on Kern County, and the well-known Black Gold oil exhibit. Good for understanding Bakersfield’s regional identity.
Cheapest price
$45
Average price
$45
Fastest journey
7 h 35 m
Average duration
7 h 35 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
209 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Ana, CA to Bakersfield, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Ana, CA to Bakersfield, CA will cost around $45 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $45.
Of the 1 buses that leave Santa Ana, CA for Bakersfield, CA on Mon, Jun 01, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 01 the direct buses cover the 209 km distance in an average of 7 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 35 m .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest buses will take 7 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Santa Ana, CA to Bakersfield, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $40. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 53m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $40, and a bus costs an average of $40.
Distance: 129 miles (209 km)
Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|
$42 Average price Cheapest | $30 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 23m Average total duration Fastest 3h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about -2h -18m sooner (3h 53m by bus vs 2h 35m by car) and save roughly $-12.04 (€-9.69) compared to fuel and tolls ($42 (€34) vs $30 (€24)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Greyhound, Infobus, FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:20AM | Arrival Time 10:05AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:01PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 4h39 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:01PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 4h39 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $45 |
The table below shows live departures for Santa Ana, CA to Bakersfield, CA buses for today, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:01 PM Santa Ana, CA | 4h39 | 6:40 PM Bakersfield, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Santa Ana, CA to Bakersfield, CA run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 53m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $40 (€32) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:45, the last at 23:01. The fastest bus covers the 129 miles (209 km) distance in 4h 39m.
Distance 129 miles (209 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price $40 (€32) |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 4h 39m |
First bus 3:45 AM |
Last bus 11:01 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Discover the best of Bakersfield — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bakersfield trip today.
A major local history museum with historic buildings, exhibits on Kern County, and the well-known Black Gold oil exhibit. Good for understanding Bakersfield’s regional identity.
A family-friendly museum focused on fossils, geology, archaeology, and regional natural history. Especially strong for dinosaur and Ice Age displays.
The city’s main art museum, featuring California art, rotating exhibitions, and a sculpture garden in a pleasant park setting.
The city’s main historic and cultural core, known for theaters, murals, civic buildings, and walkable blocks with the strongest concentration of sights.
A popular lakeside park with paths, bridges, lawns, and sunset views. It is one of the city’s favorite casual walking and photo spots.
A scenic natural area with trails and river-edge habitat. A strong pick for a quieter local outdoor experience.
A Bakersfield classic rooted in the city’s Basque community, typically including soup, beans, salad, pickled tongue, fries, bread, and a hearty meat main served in generous shared courses.
Central California’s signature beef cut, seasoned simply and grilled over red oak or similar hardwood. It is especially popular across Bakersfield for casual cookouts and steakhouse meals.
A regional Mexican favorite widely loved in Bakersfield, made with pork simmered in a roasted green chile sauce. It reflects the city’s strong Mexican and Central Valley food culture.
A well-known local breakfast and lunch spot serving generous American comfort food in a lively, welcoming diner atmosphere.
A landmark Basque restaurant famous for traditional family-style meals, classic cocktails, and a historic old-school dining atmosphere.
A long-running downtown Basque favorite known for hearty set dinners, friendly service, and a casual historic setting.
Costs are moderate by California standards. Dining is fairly affordable, while hotels and cars can add up.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants; 20% for strong service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff and delivery drivers.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Ana, CA to Bakersfield, CA by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bakersfield, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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